A spillway gate of the Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela was opened at about 2 p.m. Sunday to release water as a safety precaution amid rainy weather over parts of Luzon.
The dam released 200 cubic meters of water per second, according to the Magat Dam management. It added that the dam’s water level was at 188 meters or two meters short of its 190-meter spillover level, thus the decision to release water was made.
As of press time, the dam operator was yet to determine up to when it would release water to be taken in by mini-hydropower plants before being released to irrigation canals and to the Magat River.
Residents living near the Magat River were advised to take precautions like avoiding fishing and other activities to ensure their safety.
The river flows through the municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian and Gamu, Isabela.